न क्षेत्रमरुणादस्ति नास्ति देवोऽरुणेश्वरात्
There is no sacred place greater than Aruṇa, nor any deity superior to Aruṇeśvara.
इति कथयति नंदिकेश्वरेस्मिन्पुलकितसर्ववपुर्मृकण्डुपुत्रः
As Nandikeśvara spoke thus, the son of Mṛkaṇḍu was filled with delight throughout his body.
अथ तृतीयमर्बुदखण्डं प्रारभ्यते व्यास उवाच ॐनमोनंताय सूक्ष्माय ज्ञानगम्याय वेधसे
Now begins the third section, Arbuda-khaṇḍa. Vyāsa said: Om, homage to the infinite, the subtle, the one approached through knowledge, the creator.
मन्वंतराणि सर्वाणि सृष्टिश्चैव पृथग्विधा
All the Manvantaras and the various kinds of creation,
अधुना श्रोतुमिच्छामस्तीर्थमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्
Now we wish to hear the supreme glory of the holy places.
तिस्रः कोट्योऽर्द्धकोटिश्च तेषां संख्या कृता पुरा
Three crores and a half crore—such was their number in ancient times.
क्षेत्राणि सरितश्चैव पर्वताश्च नदा स्तथा
Sacred fields, rivers, mountains, and streams likewise,
तेषां मध्येऽर्बुदोनाम सर्वपापहरोऽनघः
Among them, Arbuda is named, O sinless one, the remover of all sins.
पुनंति सर्वतीर्थानि स्नानदानादिकैर्यथा
All holy places purify through bathing, giving, and other rites, as is proper.
कथं वासिष्ठमाहात्म्यात्प्रथितो धरणीतले
How did the glory of Vasiṣṭha become renowned upon the earth?
कानि तीर्थानि मुख्यानि ह्यर्बुदे संति पर्वते
Which principal holy places exist on the mountain Arbuda?
अर्बुदस्य द्विजश्रेष्ठा माहात्म्यं च यथा श्रुतम् ॥ 7.3.1.
O best of twice-born, the greatness of Arbuda as has been heard.
वसिष्ठो नाम देवर्षिः पितामहसमुद्भवः
There was a divine sage named Vasiṣṭha, born from the mind of the Grandfather (Brahmā).
नियतो नियताहारः सर्वभूतहिते रतः
He was disciplined, moderate in his food, and devoted to the welfare of all beings.
पंचाग्निसाधको ग्रीष्मे जपहोमपरायणः नंदिनीति सुविख्याता सा वै कामदुघा शुभा
Practicing the five-fire austerity in summer, intent on recitation and offering, he had a cow named Nandini, renowned and auspicious, who granted all desires.
सा कदाचिद्धरापृष्ठे भ्रममाणा तृणाशया
Once, as she wandered on the earth, grazing on grass,
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु भगवांस्तीक्ष्णदीधितिः
At that very time, the blessed one of fierce rays (the Sun)
तस्याः क्षीरेण नित्यं स सायं प्रातर्द्विजो मुनिः
The sage, that twice-born one, would always take her milk in the evening and morning.
अथ चिंतापरो विप्रः प्रायश्चित्तभयाद्ध्रुवम्
Then, the brahmin, absorbed in thought, was surely anxious out of fear of expiation.
स तच्छ्वभ्रमथासाद्य भूंभारावमथाशृणोत्
He then approached that chasm and heard the earth groaning under its burden.
अहं होमस्य चोद्वेगान्निःसृतस्त्वामवेक्षितुम्
"I have come forth from the sacrificial fire, troubled, to look upon you."
पतितात्र विभो त्राहि कृच्छ्रादस्मात्सुदुःसहात् 7.3.1.
"I have fallen here, O Lord, save me from this terrible and unbearable distress."
सरस्वतीं समादध्यौ नदीं त्रैलोक्यपावनीम्
He meditated upon Sarasvatī, the river that purifies the three worlds.
श्वभ्रं तत्पूरयामास समंताद्विमलैर्जलैः
She filled that chasm all around with pure waters.
संहृष्टा मुनिना सार्द्धं ययावाश्रमसम्मुखम्
Rejoicing together with the sage, she went toward the hermitage.
स दृष्ट्वा श्वभ्रमध्यं तं गंभीरं च महामुनिः
Seeing that deep chasm, the great sage
तस्य चिंतयतो विप्रा बुद्धिरेषोदपद्यत तस्माद्गच्छाम्यहं शीघ्रं हिमवन्तं नगोत्तमम्
As the brahmin pondered, this thought arose in his mind: 'Therefore, I shall quickly go to Himavat, the best of mountains.'
स एव पर्वतं चात्र प्रेषयिष्यति भूधरः
'That very mountain, the lord of the earth, will send a mountain here.'
ततो जगाम स मुनिर्हिमवन्तं नगोत्तमम् अर्घ्यपाद्यादिसंस्कारैः संपूज्य इदमब्रवीत्
Then the sage went to Himavat, the best of mountains, and after honoring him with offerings of water and other rites, he spoke these words:
स्वागतं ते मुनिश्रेष्ठ सफलं मेऽद्य जीवितम्
"Welcome to you, best of sages! Today my life is fulfilled."